friction

UK: /ˈfrɪkʃ^ən/ US: /ˈfrɪkʃən/ ,(frik′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fric•tion /ˈfrɪkʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. Mechanics, Physics surface resistance to relative motion, such as of a body sliding or rolling:
   Friction will help slow down a car.
2. the rubbing of one surface against another:
   friction on a rope.
3. disagreement;
   conflict:
   friction between nations.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fric•tion  (frik′shən), n. 

1. Mechanics, Physics surface resistance to relative motion, as of a body sliding or rolling.
2. the rubbing of the surface of one body against that of another.
3. dissension or conflict between persons, nations, etc., because of differing ideas, wishes, etc.

• Latin frictiōn- (stem of frictiō) a rubbing, equivalent. to frict(us) (past participle of fricāre) + -iōn- -ion
• 1575–85

fric′tion•less, adj. 
fric′tion•less•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 3. discord, dissidence, clash, antagonism, contention, wrangling.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

friction / ˈfrɪkʃən/ noun

1. a resistance encountered when one body moves relative to another body with which it is in contact
2. the act, effect, or an instance of rubbing one object against another
3. disagreement or conflict; discord
4. conditions that make it more difficult for something to happen: to add friction to international trade

Etymology: 16th Century: from French, from Latin frictiō a rubbing, from fricāre to rub, rub down; related to Latin friāre to crumble

ˈfrictional adjective

ˈfrictionless adjective